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How Do You Know If You Need a Breast Revision?

Breast augmentation remained a popular plastic surgery procedure throughout 2022—as did breast revision. Many of our patients want to know about replacing breast implants with smaller ones at our St. Louis-based practice, which is a choice that may be more common that you think. Modern plastic surgery techniques have made the procedure safer, allowing more patients the freedom to consider updating their body contours to reflect their style preferences and address personal concerns.

If you feel like your breasts are too small or asymmetrical, breast augmentation with implants is an excellent way to enhance your appearance. One of the best aspects of breast implants is how much of a confidence boost they can give to patients who may have previously been self-conscious about the size and shape of their breasts.

When you’re having breast augmentation, probably the last thing that’s on your mind is having a second surgery—but it’s possible that you may want or need one at some point. Breast implants are tough devices that can last for decades, but they are not intended to last a lifetime.

With this in mind, there are several reasons patients may consider having breast revision surgery at West County Plastic Surgeons, including:

Implant Deflation or Rupture

It’s possible that a tear or hole called a rupture can occur on the silicone shell of any type of implant. Possible causes of implant ruptures include normal aging of the device, trauma, and other factors. The risk of an implant rupture is rare, but increases as implants age. If there is a rupture in a saline implant, the saltwater solution is safely absorbed into the body and you will be able to tell the rupture has occurred because the implant quickly, visibly deflates. Silicone implant ruptures are more difficult to detect because the thicker, more viscous gel leaks into surrounding tissues more slowly. The gel remains in the surrounding tissues and is not absorbed. For this reason, patients who choose silicone implants are encouraged to get routine monitoring.

Cosmetic Concerns

Patients may find that they now dislike the results from a previous surgery because of rippling, poor implant placement, bottoming out, or the “double bubble” effect. A revision procedure can correct the problem and provide a smooth, more proportional look.

Lifestyle Changes 

Breast shape changes over time and may be affected by pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and aging, so patients experiencing any of these situations may want to have their implants exchanged in order to restore a more desired shape. Style preferences also change and patients may find themselves in a different stage of life wishing their chest contours better reflected their current tastes.

Interested in learning more about breast revision surgery? Call our St. Louis-based West County Plastic Surgeons of Washington University team at (314) 996-8800 or fill out a contact form